Role of Human Milk Microbiota in Infant Neurodevelopment: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.

Background: Human milk (HM) is recognized as an ideal source of nutrition for newborns; as a result, its multiple bioactive molecules can support the growth of healthy newborns and reduce the risk of mortality and diseases such as asthma, respiratory infections, diabetes (type 1 and 2), and gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, it can reduce the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Moreover, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) present in breast milk show an immunomodulatory, prebiotic, and neurodevelopmental effect that supports the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as Life Support in Neonatal Respiratory Failure: A Single-Center Cohort Study and a Systematic Review.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support in newborns with severe respiratory failure. Our main objective was to evaluate the mortality of patients and define positive and negative predictive factors of survival.

Methods: We performed a Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)-conformed retrospective observational study and a systematic review, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

Clinical predictors for surfactant retreatment in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: the results of a pooled analysis.

Background: The issue of retreatment with surfactant of infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to identify possible clinical predictors of the need for multiple doses of surfactant in a large cohort of very preterm infants.

Methods: Data were analyzed from three previous studies on infants born between 25 and 31 weeks of gestation with RDS who were treated with surfactant.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool to prevent cerebral desaturation in newborns with bradycardia events: A systematic review.

Objective: Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive tool providing real-time continuous measurement of regional cerebral blood oxygenation and indirect blood flow. The aim of this review is to determine the best evidence to guide the use of NIRS to detect and avoid abnormalities of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation in newborns with bradycardia.

Design: For this systematic review according to PRISMA Statement, we reviewed papers from 2000 to 2023.

related disorders, attempt to better define clinical assessment.

Background: -related disorders are uncommonly reported. The clinical features of the disorders are wide and heterogeneous mainly consisting of undistinctive facial dysmorphism, mild to severe intellectual and speech delay, epileptic seizures, and motor dysfunction. Defects in gene have been identified in cases diagnosed as Pitt-Hopkins-like-syndrome 2 (PTHLS2; OMIM#614325).

Exploring ketogenic diet resistance in glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome: A comprehensive review and critical appraisal.

Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS) commonly presents with early-onset epilepsy that often resists conventional pharmacological treatment. Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is the preferred approach to address the underlying metabolic anomaly. However, a subset of GLUT1DS patients presents resistance to KDT, with the causes remaining elusive.

Reasons for Neonatal Presentations to Pediatric Emergency Departments in Catania: Multicentric Cross-Sectional Analysis and Exhaustive Review of the Literature.

Introduction: This study aimed to characterize neonatal admissions to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) in Catania, to analyze the primary pediatric conditions leading to these admissions, and to explore the association between the demographic characteristics of the population and the severity of their presentations.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on neonates (aged <28 days) admitted to three PEDs in Catania between January 2015 and December 2019. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic was performed.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Their Pivotal Role in Gut-Brain Axis Modulation and Neurologic Development: A Narrative Review to Decipher the Multifaceted Interplay.

Background: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are unique bioactive components in human milk, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in infant health. A deeper understanding of the nexus between HMOs and the gut-brain axis can revolutionize neonatal nutrition and neurodevelopmental strategies.

Methods: We performed a narrative review using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to source relevant articles.

Neonatal Hyperekplexia: Is It Still a Diagnostic Challenge? Evidence From a Systematic Review.

Hyperekplexia is a neurologic disorder characterized by an exaggerated startle reflex in response to different types of stimuli. Hyperekplexia is defined by the triad of neonatal hypertonia, excessive startle reflexes, and generalized stiffness following the startle. Although uncommon, hyperekplexia can lead to serious consequences such as falls, brain injury, or sudden infant death syndrome.

SARS-CoV-2 parental vaccination and risk of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a single-center retrospective study.

Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) usually causes a mild disease in children and the most serious consequence is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Currently, there are no data about the protective role of vaccination performed by parents on children regarding the development of MIS-C. The aim of our study is to establish whether parental vaccination is related to MIS-C and the protective value of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination performed by parents against the occurrence of MIS-C in their children.

-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Epilepsy Treated with Ketogenic Diet: A Case-Based Review.

syndrome is a congenital developmental disorder caused by de novo mutations in the gene, which encodes a DNA/RNA-binding protein essential for transcriptional and translational regulation. We present the case of an 11-year-old patient with a de novo frameshift variant in the gene, identified through whole exome sequencing (WES). In addition to the classical deficiency phenotype, our patient exhibited pronounced sialorrhea and seizures, which were effectively treated with the ketogenic diet (KD).

The lung ultrasound in children with SARS-COV-2 infection: a national multicenter prospective study.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused hospitalizations, severe disease, and deaths in any age, including in the youngest children. The aim of this multicenter national study is to characterize the clinical and the prognostic role of lung ultrasound (LU) in children with COVID-19. We enrolled children between 1 month and 18 years of age with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection who underwent a LU within 6 h from the first medical evaluation.

PYRIDOXINE-dependent epilepsy (PDE): An observational study of neonatal cases on the role of pyridoxine in patients treated with standard anti-seizure medications.

Background: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the neurological consequences of delayed pyridoxine administration in patients diagnosed with Pyridoxin Dependent Epilepsies (PDE).

Materials And Methods: We reviewed 29 articles, comprising 52 genetically diagnosed PDE cases, ensuring data homogeneity. Three additional cases were included from the General Pediatric Operative Unit of San Marco Hospital.

Drug resistant epilepsies: A multicentre case series of steroid therapy.

Purpose: Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroids on seizure control in drug-resistant epilepsies (DREs). Our primary goal was to assess the response to steroids for various underlying etiologies, interictal electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns and electroclinical seizure descriptions. Our second goal was to compare steroid responsiveness to different treatment protocols.

Risk Assessment for Workers with Wearable Medical Devices Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields.

The exponential diffusion of wearable medical devices (WMD) in recent years has involved people of all ages, including workers. Workers who use WMDs should be considered at a particular risk from electromagnetic fields, and in accordance with EU Directive 2013/35/EU, they require an individual risk assessment. Currently, there is no international standard that provides specific guidance on how to perform such a risk assessment.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Preterm Infant: A Systematic Review on Clinical Procedure Safety.

Background: Currently, there is no evidence that MRI produces harmful effects on premature newborns, as well as short-term and long-term safety issues regarding radiofrequency fields and loud acoustic environment, while the examination that is being performed has not been clearly investigated. MRI of the brain conducted on preterm infants should be part of the diagnostic workup, when necessary. This article is intended to evaluate the short-term safety of MRI performed in preterm infants, when required, by analyzing all vital parameters available before, during, and after the MRI procedures.

GLUT-1DS resistant to ketogenic diet: from clinical feature to in silico analysis. An exemplificative case report with a literature review.

Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT-1DS) is characterized by alterations in glucose translocation through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to mutation involving the GLUT-1 transporter. The fundamental therapy is ketogenic diet (KD) that provide an alternative energetic substrate - ketone bodies that across the BBB via MCT-1 - for the brain. Symptoms are various and include intractable seizure, acquired microcephalia, abnormal ocular movement, movement disorder, and neurodevelopment delay secondary to an energetic crisis for persistent neuroglycopenia.